RE: [Paddlewise] Hull speed isn't wave climbing climbing

The wave speed is always the same as the boat speed. The wave is made 
by the boat and sticks with the boat so it can't really go any faster 
or slower. At "hull speed" the wave length and the boat length are 
the same, and the wave speed and boat speed are also the same.

It is hard to make the boat go faster because it doesn't like 
creating waves longer than itself. Since the wave length and wave 
speed are related, it can't make the wave move faster unless it makes 
it longer than the boat. Since the boat is making the wave, it can't 
go faster without making the wavelength longer, but it can't. And the 
wavelength can't get any longer because the boat isn't going any 
faster. And the boat can't go any faster because the wave isn't 
getting any longer. So you are stuck in a catch-22.

  When you get to hull speed, paddling harder just makes a higher wave 
because it can't make it longer. The harder you paddle, the steeper 
the wave so it feels like you are paddling up hill. And making the 
wave steeper makes it even harder to make it longer....

Narrow enough boats make such a small wake that you can avoid the catch-22.


At 4:46 AM -0400 5/15/01, Blaauw, Niels wrote:
>Mike wrote:
>>>>
>If you speed up, the bow wave goes faster.  If you slow down, the bow
>wave slows down.  How do you climb a wave that you are making?
><<<
>
>You are partly right: The bow wave will have the same speed as the boat.
>However, there is a relation between wave speed and wave length. I don't
>have the exact formula handy, but a certain wave speed (the speed of the
>boat in this case) dictates a certain wave length. If your speed is low, the
>wavelength is shorter then your boat, so your boat will be resting on a
>couple of short waves, keeping the boat horizontal. When your speed
>increases, the wave will become longer, so your boat ends up completely on
>the edge of your bow wave. Indeed, you will be paddling UP all the time.
>
>
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-- 
Nick Schade
Guillemot Kayaks
824 Thompson St
Glastonbury, CT 06033
(860) 659-8847

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